The city has agreed to a one-year contract with the firefighters union that provides raises but decreases the amount paid per member into the union health care fund.
The deal with the Philadelphia Firefighters Union, brokered by an arbitration panel, is similar to the contract given to the Fraternal Order of Police in June. Firefighters will receive a 2 percent raise, effective in July 2008 and a 2 percent raise effective on January 1, 2009. Health care contributions per member will be lowered from $1,444 per month to $1,270 per month -- which the city says will cover benefits.
“Even as the city faces significant fiscal challenges we accept this award as a fair deal for the taxpayers of this city, and a fair deal for the firefighters and paramedics who risk their lives every day to keep Philadelphians safe,” said Mayor Nutter in a statement.
The firefighters were the last of the four city unions waiting on a contract. Unions representing blue collar and white collar city workers inked deals over the summer. Like the other three unions, firefighters have agreed to participate in a city health-care committee that will examine how to maintain benefits while bringing down costs.

Firefighters Get Contract Deal

Catherine Lucey

The city has agreed to a one-year contract with the firefighters union that provides raises but decreases the amount paid per member into the union health care fund.

The deal with the Philadelphia Firefighters Union, brokered by an arbitration panel, is similar to the contract given to the Fraternal Order of Police in June. Firefighters will receive a 2 percent raise, effective in July 2008 and a 2 percent raise effective on January 1, 2009. Health care contributions per member will be lowered from $1,444 per month to $1,270 per month -- which the city says will cover benefits.

“Even as the city faces significant fiscal challenges we accept this award as a fair deal for the taxpayers of this city, and a fair deal for the firefighters and paramedics who risk their lives every day to keep Philadelphians safe,” said Mayor Nutter in a statement.

The firefighters were the last of the four city unions waiting on a contract. Unions representing blue collar and white collar city workers inked deals over the summer. Like the other three unions, firefighters have agreed to participate in a city health-care committee that will examine how to maintain benefits while bringing down costs.

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William Bender, a Drexel graduate who landed at the Daily News in 2007, has covered everything from South Philly mobsters to doomsday hucksters. He occasionally writes about local food trucks and always eats everything on his plate, whether it be a bloody rib eye or a corrupt politician. E-mail tips to benderw@phillynews.com Follow William on Twitter

David Gambacorta, has been a reporter with the Daily News since 2005, covering crime, police corruption and all of the other bizarre things that happen in Philadelphia. Now he’s covering the 2015 mayor’s race, because he enjoys a good circus just as much as the next guy. He’s always looking to get a cup of coffee. Send news tips and other musings on life to gambacd@phillynews.com Follow David on Twitter